Laura Fritz (admittedly we are dating, but that has no bearing on the fact that it's difficult to find another artist who brings such originality to every single show. At the end of the day results speak. I'd be lying if I left her off the list.)

Ryan Pierce (Yes he's written for PORT but he's also a fantastic painter and sharp mind, very impressive)

Eva Speer (probably tied with Pierce for having the sharpest "painter's mind" in town she's coming into her own)

Jesse Hayward (often the most radical and adventurous abstract painter in Portland)

Of course there are others like Arnold Kemp, Modou Dieng, Eva Lake, Joe Thurston, Ethan Rose and Midori Hirose... etc. The list can go on and on but I feel pretty safe stating that those 16 would make up an incredibly strong survey of Portland art now. Generally though for a survey one doesn't always pick the best, instead one picks a few surprises to gage potential and shake up expectations (knowing how to install it is another trick).